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How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy You're making a big commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for many years. Pet stores and online retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profits over animal welfare. Pick a reputable breeder. Choosing a Reputable Breeder It's important to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and the environment where their puppies are being raised. The best place to start is with your local German Shepherd club or group. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer who can point you to breeders who are reputable. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory of licensed breeders. Take the time to meet a breeder in person once you've found one who meets your breed standards. Look for a clean facility where the mother and puppies are kept in a safe environment. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings. You want to see proof that they've been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy. A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a vet who can carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They can give you the name of the doctor and his phone number and also provide you with the records of consultation. It's also a good idea to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living circumstances that might hinder them from offering you puppies. For instance when they know that you have young children, they may be hesitant to sell you a puppy because German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children. A reputable breeder may require that you sign a contract prior to purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents, their AKC registration number, and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a vital way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they will be placed in good homes. Health Tests for Health Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that will be part of their breeding selection. This is to make sure that they don't produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, GDV and bloat. In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to gain personal knowledge of the health and temperament of each dog they have. They also share this information completely and openly with other breeders and prospective buyers. The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders carry out additional tests. These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also allow breeders make better decisions about mating that can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in future generations. Common genetic tests include Hip Dysplasia Hip and elbow dysplasia are a common problem in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front legs. These joint conditions that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed through weight control, activity limitations and medications. X-rays are taken with anesthesia to ensure precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. The test is not foolproof and does not predict the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem will be degenerative myelopathy. Socialization GSDs require intense physical exercise along with training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. Read Homepage are prone to becoming bored and inactivity may lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or eating shoes. Often, these behaviors are a result of insufficient emotional requirements. Socialization early is essential for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization can help the puppy build confidence in new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations. Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them to interact with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a variety of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies are taught how to behave in the group. This is essential to their success as adults. The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, such as sirens, traffic, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy doesn't develop fearful or anxious of these sounds. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace, and positive reinforcement should be used throughout the process. During this period, it is also important that the puppy gets to meet many different people and pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. An excellent example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs. The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe way with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be confined so that the dog isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more sociable and calm dogs. This will help your puppy understand that older, larger dogs do not have to be terrifying. It will also aid in developing a good attitude. Training German Shepherds require constant regular obedience training. It is important to enroll them in a class early enough particularly when they are still young. This will assist them in developing into confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a good time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic commands and commands, they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they grow older. Territorial aggression is a frequent issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They might be extremely protective of their home and property which could lead to their barking at strangers or animals who enter their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior. Other behavioral problems can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained can cause annoyance to their family and neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like “sit” and “down.” In the early years of their puppyhood it is essential to introduce your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach 16 weeks old, as they go through an important period of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy it's likely to be much more difficult for them to learn new things as an adult. They could also be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression or fear. Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be calm and happy. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and decreases “cabin-fever.” It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss, and decreases “cabin-fever.” It's a great way to be a part of your German Shepherd, too!